Supports for Students

Supports for Students with Physical Difficulties

The DSS has an advisor specifically to support students who have a physical disability, Madeline Jennings. The role of this advisor is to engage with the student and assess his/her needs for varying supports to enhance the student experience. Relevant supports are then put in place as an outcome of this assessment.

The objective of the support programme is to support and empower students to achieve their academic and vocational goals and make a successful transition to employment.

Educational Supports

A student with physical/mobility difficulties may access a range of educational supports to access the learning environment if because of their disability they are challenged in pursuing their studies.

Educational supports may include some or all of the following:

Alternative examination arrangements

Liaison with academic departments on student’s behalf

Subject specific tuition

Educational Assistant to help student access Library, Labs, or use technology

Access to audio version of notes using Panopto or digital recorder

Opportunity to split year of degree programme over two years if request is recommended by consultant

Personal/Social Supports

A student with physical/mobility difficulties may access varying personal and social supports to enable greater access and inclusion in the University.

The Personal and Social supports may include some or all of the following:

On Campus Transport Support- This accessible service is available morning and evening and assists students commuting to and from campus to their appartments

Personal Assistants to assist with tasks of daily living

Integrated Physical Activity Programme

The Disability Support Service in collaboration with the Mardyke Arena developed an Integrated Physical Activity Programme designed specifically to enhance the integration and wellbeing of students with disabilities through participation in leisure activities

Activities available include:

Swimming – facilitated by fully qualified Swim Ireland instructor.

Use of Hydrotherapy Pool – facilitated by chartered Physiotherapist who specialises in hydrotherapy.

Use of Anti-Gravity Treadmill – facilitated by chartered Physiotherapist who conducts an Anti-Gravity Rehab Programme at the Arena Clinic.

If you are interested in participating in this programme, please contact the Disability Support Service at (021) 4902985 or dssinfo@ucc.ie

Alternative Exam Arrangements

End of Semester Examinations

Students with disabilities may avail of alternative exam arrangements if this support is deemed necessary as part of the student’s needs assessment.

Any examination support which may be required by an individual student must be agreed, as part of a needs assessment with a Disability Advisor early in the academic year. You are advised to meet your advisor to discuss your needs.

Alternative examinations arrangements for end of semester 1 exams must be finalised by the end of October and for end of semester 2 exams by the end of January. Arrangements cannot be made/changed after these dates.

In Class Examinations

If you have in class examinations during the course of the semester, you may be able to use the exam arrangements granted to you for these exams, although arrangements are generally not put in place for MCQ exams. Please complete the In-Class Exams Form a week ahead of the scheduled exam and return it to your Disability Advisor. Late applicaitons unfortunately cannot be processed.

Lifestyle Coaching: An Occupational Therapy Service

Lifestyle Coaching: An Occupational Therapy Service

The Occupational Therapy Service works with college students to coach you through any areas of your life in which you are experiencing difficulty, empowering you to make changes to your life that will enhance your overall health and wellbeing, enabling you to succeed in maintaining a balanced student life.

Would you like to:

Minimise stress

Improve your sleep

Tackle procrastination

Boost your energy levels

Manage low mood

Optimise your study strategies

Increase focus and concentration

Create lifestyle balance

Enhance your social skills

Address any other area of your life that you feel stuck with!

In collaboration with your occupational therapist, you will design a personalised plan through goal setting and put your plan into action enabling you to reduce stress, enhance your overall sense of well-being, and maintain a balanced student life.

As OT is more of a ‘doing’ therapy than a ‘talking’ therapy, a typical session will involve actively working on your goals.

Typical sessions are 60 minutes long, but this can be flexible based on student needs. Services can be delivered as individual sessions or group sessions. Services can take place in the Disability Support Service building, Brookfield Health Science Complex, or a location convenient to you, e.g. Mardyke arena, library, coffee dock.

Typical groups/workshops that we run throughout the semester include:

Stress Management

Study Skills

Procrastination / Time management

Lifestyle Balance

Or contact us if you have another workshop request!

Occupational Therapy is a client centred health profession concerned with promoting health and well-being through occupation. The primary goal of occupational therapy is to enable people to participate in the activities of everyday life. Occupational therapists achieve this outcome by working with people and communities to enhance their ability to engage in the occupations they want to, need to, or are expected to do, or by modifying the occupational or the environment to better support their occupational engagement (World Federation of Occupational Therapists, 2010).

This service is a highly confidential, non-judgemental, and respectful of student’s experiences.

If you would like to discuss this service further, please contact your Disability Advisor who may be able to refer you on to this service.

Accessible Accommodation

For those students who are wheelchair users with high end needs and need accessibible accomodation, the following are the procedures for applying for accomodation in UCC:

1) The student must submit medical verification to the Disability Support Service and outline their need for accessibile accomodation

2) The Disability Support Service will then link with UCC campus manager regarding the level of accessible room needed

3) The Disability Support Service will contact the student in relation to their request

Applying for Funding

The Fund for Students with Disabilities

The Fund for Students with Disabilities allocates funding to further and higher education colleges for the provision of services and supports to full-time students with disabilities. The Fund aims to ensure that students can participate fully in their academic programmes and are not disadvantaged by reason of a disability.

Eligible students can receive assistance from the Fund from PLC level right up to doctoral level. You do not have to be in first year of a course to be eligible to apply for the Fund. Application for the first time can be made during any year of study on an approved course at further or higher education level.

Applications to the Fund are made on behalf of an eligible student by their college following an assessment of need. Applications cannot be made directly to the Fund by students. Colleges are also responsible for the management of the funding approved for eligible students.Applicants to the Fund for Students with Disabilities are not means-tested. A minimum age for application applies, however. Students with disabilities enrolled in part-time courses, access or foundation courses in higher education institutions or short courses are not eligible for consideration under the Fund.

The Student Assistance Fund provides financial assistance for full-time higher education students who are experiencing financial difficulties whilst attending college. The Student Assistance Fund provides a further source of funding for higher education students in addition to the Student Grant. Please note that due to the high demand expected for the fund, the amounts awarded may vary downwards from previous years.